SEMINOLES NOTEBOOK: Young offensive linemen getting work

By BOB THOMASThe Times-Union,

TALLAHASSEE -- With three potential starting offensive linemen out of action this spring while recovering from surgery, new Florida State line coach Mark McHale is introducing a new zone blocking scheme to a cast of youngsters.

The left guard position should be particularly interesting, given Jacksonville natives John Frady and Cornelius Lewis are 1-2 on the depth chart.

McHale is keeping a close eye on the two, who have contrasting body styles, strengths and weaknesses.

The 6-foot-4, 298-pound Frady, who will be a third-year sophomore, moves over from the center position. Lewis (6-4, 305) is a redshirt freshman.

"[Frady] wants a shot at [guard]," said McHale, who wants to see if the former Bolles standout can handle 300-pound interior defensive linemen.

Lewis is an impressive physical specimen whose experience was limited to third-team repetitions in the fall.

"He's got talent," McHale said of the former Raines star. "He's big, and he's got [good] feet. He's a pup just sleeping on the porch. We've got to wake him up."

Lewis would like to join fellow classmates Dumaka Atkins (center) and Jacky Claude (right guard) at the top of the depth chart. According to the coaching staff, he is on his way. The trio led the way during FSU's preseason conditioning drills.

"I just want to come out here and work hard and whatever I get, I guess I deserve it," said Lewis, who might have a slight edge based on his days anchoring Raines' pass-happy, zone-blocking front.

Happy to be here

McHale might be enjoying his first spring practice at Florida State more than any other in his lengthy career.

The former Marshall offensive coordinator/line coach has spent much of his 30-year career at schools that don't match up with the Seminoles' program.

"To have an opportunity for a national championship every year, facilities, the winningest coach in college football, a class staff -- it doesn't get any better than this now," McHale said.

New drill

Offensive coordinator and receivers coach Jeff Bowden swiped a warmup routine he saw while watching the NFL Combine in which receivers sprint across the middle of the field catching passes from either direction.

"I thought it was a great drill, and it will give them something new to keep that mind fresh and help them get better," said Bowden, who is breaking in a virtually entirely new receiving corps. "I always felt like we don't catch enough balls before we get into live team situations."